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| United States Patent |
6,079,884
|
|
Yamashita
|
June 27, 2000
|
Photographic processing apparatus
Abstract
An apparatus for processing a silver halide light sensitive photographic
material is disclosed, comprising a first processing tank and a second
processing tank adjacent to the first tank, wherein the value represented
by RxL1/S is from 0.05 to 0.4, in which R represents a radius (cm) of
curvature of an external turn section between the first processing tank
and the second processing tank, L1 represents a path length (cm) in a
portion immersed in a processing solution of the first processing tank and
S represents a transport speed (cm/min.) of the photographic material at a
processing station.
| Inventors:
|
Yamashita; Hiroshi (Hino, JP)
|
| Assignee:
|
Konica Corporation (Tokyo, JP)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
241891 |
| Filed:
|
February 1, 1999 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
| Feb 06, 1998[JP] | 10-025849 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
396/612; 355/27 |
| Intern'l Class: |
G03D 003/08 |
| Field of Search: |
396/617,620,622,612
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
| 4304484 | Dec., 1981 | Mizuta et al.
| |
| 4967222 | Oct., 1990 | Nitsch.
| |
| 4975723 | Dec., 1990 | Hammerquist et al.
| |
| 5177522 | Jan., 1993 | Hayashi | 354/320.
|
| 5669035 | Sep., 1997 | Kurematsu et al. | 396/626.
|
| Foreign Patent Documents |
| 0784230 A1 | Jul., 1997 | EP.
| |
Primary Examiner: Metjahic; Safet
Assistant Examiner: LeRoux; E P.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Frishauf, Holtz, Goodman, Langer & Chick, P.C.
Claims
What is claim is:
1. An apparatus for processing a silver halide light sensitive photographic
material comprising:
a first processing tank; and
a second processing tank adjacent to the first tank,
wherein the value represented by RxL1/S is at least 0.05 and at most 0.4,
wherein R is a radius (cm) of curvature of an external turn section
between the first processing tank and the second processing tank, L1 is a
path length (cm) in a portion immersed in a processing solution of the
first processing tank, and S is a transport speed (cm/min.) of the
photographic material at a processing station.
2. The processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said silver halide light
sensitive photographic material is a photographic paper.
3. The processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first processing tank
is a developing tank, the second processing tank being a bleach-fixing
tank.
4. The processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein L2/L1 is within the range
of 0.5 to 1.0, and L2 is a path length (cm) of the external turn section
between the first and second tanks.
5. The processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein an open top area ratio of
at least one processing tank is within the range of 10 to 100 cm.sup.2 /l.
6. The processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least 3 and at most 8
pairs of transport rollers are provided in the immersed portion of the
first processing tank.
7. The processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the photographic material
is cut to a sheet form prior to being subjected to processing.
8. The processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein R is at least 0.8 and at
most 3.0 cm, L1 is at least 5.0 and at most 100 cm, and S is at least 50
and at most 500 cm/min.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a processing apparatus used for
photographic print paper (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a
processing apparatus), and in particular to an apparatus for processing
print paper, which has a relatively low frequency of problems such as
transport troubles (such as so-called jamming), bending of the leading end
and staining of the edge of the photographic web.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Recently, there is an increasing desire for more rapid access of
photographic processing, and on the other hand, an increase of mini-lab
requests for a more compact automatic processing machine requiring a
smaller floor area.
In view of the foregoing demands, JP-A Nos. 9-269575 and 9-269577 (herein,
the term, JP-A means an unexamined and published Japanese Patent
Application) disclose a technique of an automatic processing machine
(hereinafter, also simply referred to as an automatic processor or a
processing apparatus) for a silver halide light sensitive photographic
material (hereinafter, also simply referred to as light sensitive material
or photographic material), in which path length and transport speed in the
processing section are particularly noted. In addition to the path length
and transport speed of the processing section, JP-A No. 9-211823 discloses
a technique in which, when a photographic material is immersed in a
processing solution, attention is given to the curvature formed by the
photographic material in the bottom section of a processing tank.
Application of the techniques described above reduces transport troubles
(hereinafter, simply referred to as jams) and abrasion marks occurring in
the interior of the processor while the photographic material is immersed
in a processing solution. However, it was proven that the occurrence of
passage troubles and abrasion markings of the photographic material is
marked in the external turn section (a cross-over roller) to a subsequent
processing tank rather than in the internal turn section immersing in the
processing solution. In an automatic processor for print paper in which a
photographic material coated on a paper support is subjected to
processing, there further occurred other problems such as a bent leading
edge of the photographic material or stains occurring in the vicinity of
longitudinal edge portions of the photographic material (so-called edge
stain).
The technique disclosed in JP-A No. 9-211823 concerns the curvature formed
by the photographic material at the bottom of the processing tank, being
definitely distinct from the present invention concerning the curvature
formed in the external turn section which is not immersed in a processing
solution.
In order to achieve a more rapid processing and a more compact automatic
processor the radius of curvature (R) at the external turn section is
typically reduced. However, excessive reduction of the radius of curvature
tends to cause serious problems such that transport of the photographic
material is not satisfactorily conducted or the emulsion side of the
photographic material is brought into contact with upper or lower portions
of the transport rack, resulting in abrasion marks on the photographic
material surface.
A gelatin membrane of the photographic material is initially swollen only
after the photographic material is immersed in a photographic solution. In
a processing tank in which the photographic material is first subjected to
processing, curliness is varied with the path length of the immersed
portion of a processing section (L1) and the transport speed (S) so that
frequency of transport troubles and abrasion marks occurring in the
external turn section after coming out of the processing solution.
Furthermore, when the transport speed is increased, jamming of the
photographic material tends to occur near the transport guide roller,
resulting in increased frequency of occurrence of transport troubles.
As a result of the inventors study of the foregoing, it was found that the
frequency of transport troubles and abrasion markings occurring at the
external turn section was markedly reduced by adjusting the value of
RxL1/S to a specified range. It was further found that the bent leading
edge of the photographic material and edge staining were also concurrently
reduced. Such results were unexpected and surprising.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for
processing print paper which is relatively low in frequency of problems
such as transport troubles (so-called jamming), bending of the leading end
and staining of the edge of the photographic web.
The above object of the present invention can be accomplished by the
following constitution:
1. an apparatus for processing a silver halide light sensitive photographic
material comprising a first processing tank and a second processing tank
adjacent to the first tank, wherein the value represented by RxL1/S is
within the range of 0.05 to 0.4, wherein R represents a radius (cm) of
curvature of an external turn section between the first processing tank
and the second processing tank, L1 represents a path length (cm) in a
portion immersed in a processing solution of the first processing tank and
S represents a transport speed (cm/min.) of the photographic material at a
processing station;
2. the processing apparatus described in 1, wherein the silver halide
photographic material is a photographic paper;
3. the processing apparatus described in 1, wherein the first processing
tank is a developing tank, the second processing tank being a
bleach-fixing tank;
4. the processing apparatus described in 1, wherein the value of L2/L1 is
within the range of 0.05 to 1.0, in which L2 represents a path length (cm)
of the external turn section;
5. the processing apparatus described in 1, wherein the open top area ratio
of at least one processing tank is within the range of 10 to 100 cm.sup.2
/l;
6. the processing apparatus described in 1, wherein 3 to 8 pairs of
transport rollers are provided in the immersed portion of the first
processing tank; and
7. the processing apparatus described in 1, wherein the photographic
material is cut to a sheet form prior to processing.
BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 illustrates a sectional view of a processing apparatus according to
the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view of the processing station of a
processing apparatus accordign to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises at
least a first processing tank and an adjacent second processing tank in
which a silver halide light sensitive photographic material is subjected
to processing, and meets the requirement of the value of RxL1/S being
within a range of 0.05 to 0.4 (cm.sec.), in which R represents the radius
(cm) of curvature of an external turn section between the first processing
tank and the adjacent second processing tank succeeding to the first tank,
L1 represents the path length (cm) in a portion immersed in a processing
solution of the first processing tank and S represents a transport speed
(cm/min.) of the photographic material at a processing station. To display
marked effects of the invention, the value of RxL1/S is preferably within
the range of 0.1 to 0.3. A sectional view of the processing station of the
processing apparatus for photographic print paper according to the
invention is shown in FIG. 1.
In the automatic processor as shown in FIG. 1, the processing station
comprises rack 5 and tank 4. A processing solution is contained in the
space formed by the rack and tank. Photographic material 1 is cut to a
given size by a cutter (2), then exposed to light by means of an exposing
apparatus (14) at the exposure station (7) and introduced into a color
developing tank CD (9), in which the photographic material is transported
by transport roller 3. When the photographic material is introduced from
the left side to the rack, the photographic material is transported
downward, moved by a reverse roller to the right side, further transported
upward, and then introduced through an external turn section to the next
tank, being bleach-fixing tank BF (10). Thereafter, the photographic
material is similarly transported, further processed in successive first
stabilizing tank STB-1 (11), second stabilizing tank STB-2 (12) and third
stabilizing tank STB-3 (13), discharged through discharge door 8, and
dried at the drying station.
The radius of curvature formed in the external turn section (6) of the
processing apparatus as shown in FIG. 1 is 1.5 cm. However, the radius of
curvature formed on the external turn section of the processing apparatus
according to this invention is preferably within a range of 0.8 cm to 3.0
cm. In the course of transporting the photographic material from the first
processing tank to the second processing tank, the photographic material
is reversed through a roller or a guide. The radius of curvature in the
external turn section refers to the radius of curvature of the roller or
the guide (R), with which the photographic material is brought into
contact. In cases where the photographic material is reversed through
plural rollers or guldes in the external turn section, the smallest radius
of curvature is defined as a radius of curvature according to the
invention. In cases where the curvature of the guide varies in the course
of the external turn section, the radius of curvature of the portion
having the smallest radius of curvature is defined as the radius of
curvature according to the invention.
In the invention, the path length of the portion immersed in a processing
solution of the processing tank refers to the length from the point at
which the photographic material is brought into contact with the
processing solution of the processing tank, to the point at which the
photographic material is carried out of the processing solution. In FIG.
1, the path length is 20 cm. The path length in the first processing tank
according to the invention is preferably 5 cm to 100 cm, and more
preferably 10 cm to 50 cm.
The ratio of the path length on the external turn section between the first
processing tank in which the silver halide photographic material is
processed in advance and the processing tank adjacent to the first tank
(L2 cm) to the path length of the portion immersed in a processing
solution of the first processing tank (L1 cm), L2/L1 was 0.3 in FIG. 1.
According to the Present invention, the L2/L1 is preferably 0.05 to 1.0,
and more preferably 0.1 to 0.5. The path length on the external turn
section is the length between the point at which the photographic material
is carried out of the processing solution and the point at which the
photographic material is brought into contact with the processing solution
of the succeeding processing tank.
In the processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the transport speed of a
silver halide photographic material was 200 cm/min. In the processing
apparatus according to the invention, however, the transport speed of the
photographic material is preferably 50 cm/min. to 500 cm/min., and more
preferably 100 cm/min. to 300 cm/min. in terms of reduction of jamming.
The processing tank volume of the processing apparatus according to this
invention is preferably 0.5 to 10 liters, and more preferably 2 to 5
liters. In the processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, each of processing
tanks was 5.0 liters. In cases where a processing tank is provided with a
sub-tank, the volume of the sub-tank is also included in the tank volume
according to this invention.
In the processing apparatus according to the invention, the open top area
ratio of at least one processing tank (preferably that of the first
processing tank) is preferably 10 to 100 m.sup.2 /l, and more preferably
20 to 50 m.sup.2 /l in terms of storage stability. In the processing
apparatus shown in FIG. 2, the open top area ratio was 30 m2/l. Herein,
the open top area ratio is defined as the open surface area (which is in
contact with air) of the processing solution contained in a tank,
expressed in T (cm.sup.2), divided by the volume of the processing
solution, expressed in V (l). Thus, the open top area is defined as T/V
(cm.sup.2 /l).
It is preferable that in the processing apparatus according to this
invention, 3 to 8 pairs of transport rollers are provided in the immersion
portion of the processing tank. In FIG. 1, 6 pairs of transport rollers
were provided.
The circulating rate of the processing solution contained in the tank of
the processing apparatus according to the invention is preferably 0.1 to
20 l/min., and more preferably 1 to 10 l/min. in terms of minutely
controlling the temperature of the processing solution. In the processing
apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the circulation rate of the color developing
tank was 5.0 l/min. and that of the other processing tanks was 3.0 l/min.
Cited as a pump employed are magnet pumps MD-10, MD-20 and MD-30. The
processing solution may be injected under high pressure onto the emulsion
side of the photographic material (jet stirring).
Any one of the processing solutions composed according to conventional
formula can be employed. Examples thereof include a color developing
solution, a processing solution having bleaching capability, a processing
solution having fixing capability and a stabilizing solution, as described
in JP-A No. 7-281376.
Photographic materials processed in the present invention are those
comprising silver chloride, silver chlorobromide, silver bromide or silver
iodobromide. Of these preferred is a photographic material comprising a
high chloride-containing silver chlorobromide emulsion.
The photographic material may comprise a silver halide emulsion layer
having a multi-layer structure. The emulsion layer may be coated on one
side or both sides of the support. The photographic material may comprise
a magnetic recording layer containing magnetic substance.
In one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the
photographic material, which has been cut into sheet form, is transported.
The expression "has been cut into sheet form" includes the case of cutting
the photographic paper in roll immediately before exposure or immediately
before being immersed in the first processing solution.
FIG. 2 illustrates another example of the processing station of the
processing apparatus according to this invention, in which 7 pairs of
transport rollers are provided in the immersion portion of the processing
solution.
EXAMPLES
The present invention will be explained based on examples, but embodiments
of the present invention are not limited to these examples.
Example 1
500 sheets of Konica color QA paper type A6 of L-sheet size were
continuously processed with a color developing solution, bleach-fixing
solution and a stabilizing solution of CPK-2-28 process used for Konica
color QA paper according to the process described below, using an
automatic processor similar to the one illustrated in FIG. 1, in which the
radius of curvature of an external turn section between a color developing
tank and a bleach-fixing tank (R cm), the path length of the portion
immersed in a color developing solution of the color developing tank (L1
cm) and the transport speed of a photographic material (S cm/min), as
shown in Table 1. In the course of processing, the processed photographic
material was evaluated with respect to the frequency of passage troubles
(jamming) of the photographic material which occurred in the external turn
section between the color developing tank and the bleach-fixing tank,
abrasion marks, frequency of bending of the leading end of the
photographic material and edge staining. Results thereof are summarized in
Table 1. Processing
______________________________________
Proc. step Proc. temp. (.degree. C.)
Replenishinq rate (ml/m.sup.2)
______________________________________
Color developing
42 65
Bleach-fixing
39 65
Stabilizing-1
39
Stabilizing-2
39
Stabilizing-3
39 120
______________________________________
The stabilizing process was three-steps counter-current system from step 3
to step 1.
Evaluation of Jamming
Of 500 sheets of processed photographic materials, the frequency of passage
troubles which occurred between the color developing tank and the
bleach-fixing tank was measured. Evaluation of abrasion marks was based on
the following criteria:
A: No abrasion mark was observed in any of the photographic materials
processed.
B: Slight abrasion marks were observed in some of the photographic
materials.
C: Evident abrasion marks were observed in some of the photographic
materials.
D: Evident abrasion marks were observed in almost all of the photographic
materials.
Evaluation of Bent Leading Edges:
Of 500 sheets of processed photographic materials, the frequency of bending
of the leading end was measured.
Evaluation of Edge Staining was Based on the Following Criteria:
A: No stain in edge portions of processed photographic materials was
observed.
B: The edge portions appeared to be slightly yellowish when making
overlapping processed photographic materials and observing from the edge.
C: The edge portions appeared to be yellowish when making overlapping
processed photographic materials and observing from the edge side.
D: Peripheral portions of the processed photographic material appeared to
be yellowish even when viewed from the front.
TABLE 1
__________________________________________________________________________
Bending
of
Expt.
R L1 S Abrasion
leading
Edge
No. (cm)
(cm)
(cm/min)
RxL1/S
Jamming
mark edge
stain
Remark
__________________________________________________________________________
1-1 0.4
20 200 0.04 17 D 19 C Comp.
1-2 0.5
20 200 0.05 4 C 7 B Inv.
1-3 0.8
20 200 0.08 3 B 5 B Inv.
1-4 1.0
20 200 0.10 1 A 2 A Inv.
1-5 1.5
20 200 0.15 0 A 0 A Inv.
1-6 2.0
20 200 0.20 0 A 0 A Inv.
1-7 3.0
20 200 0.30 0 A 0 A Inv.
1-8 4.0
20 200 0.40 0 B 0 B Inv.
1-9 5.0
20 200 0.50 0 D 1 D Comp.
1-10
6.0
20 200 0.60 0 D 1 D Comp.
1-11
1.2
7 200 0.042
22 D 16 C Comp.
1-12
1.2
9 200 0.054
4 B 6 B Inv.
1-13
1.2
12 200 0.072
4 B 5 B Inv.
1-14
1.2
15 200 0.09 3 B 4 B Inv.
1-15
1.2
20 200 0.12 1 A 1 A Inv.
1-16
1.2
30 200 0.18 0 A 0 A Inv.
1-17
1.2
40 200 0.24 0 A 0 A Inv.
1-18
1.2
50 200 0.30 0 A 0 A Inv.
1-19
1.2
60 200 0.36 0 B 0 B Inv.
1-20
1.2
70 200 0.42 2 D 3 D Comp.
1-21
1.2
20 800 0.03 31 D 38 C Comp.
1-22
1.2
20 600 0.04 23 D 27 C Comp.
1-23
1.2
20 480 0.05 5 B 6 B Inv.
1-24
1.2
20 360 0.067
4 B 6 B Inv.
1-25
1.2
20 240 0.10 1 A 2 A Inv.
1-26
1.2
20 200 0.12 1 A 1 A Inv.
1-27
1.2
20 120 0.20 0 A 0 A Inv.
1-28
1.2
20 80 0.30 0 A 0 A Inv.
1-29
1.2
20 60 0.40 0 B 0 B Inv.
1-30
1.2
20 50 0.48 1 D 1 D Comp.
1-31
1.2
20 40 0.60 1 D 2 D Comp.
__________________________________________________________________________
As can be seen from Table 1, when the radius of curvature of an external
turn section between the first tank and the successive second tank was R
cm, the path length of the portion immersed in a color developing solution
of the color developing tank was L1 cm and the transport speed of a
photographic material was S cm/min, it was proved that the value of RxL1/S
of 0.05 to 0.4 led to satisfactory results with respect to the passage
troubles and occurrence of abrasion marks, bent leading edges and edge
stains of the photographic material.
Example 2
The path length (L2 cm) of the external turn section between the color
developing tank and the bleach-fixing tank of an automatic processor
similar to the one as illustrated in FIG. 1 was varied as shown in Table
2, provided that the radius of curvature of an external turn section
between the first tank and the successive second tank was 1.5 cm, the path
length (L1 cm) of the portion immersed in a color developing solution of
the color developing tank was 30 cm and the transport speed of a
photographic material was 180 cm/min. The photographic material was
subjected to continues processing and evaluated in a manner similar to
Example 1. Results thereof are shown in Table 2.
TABLE 2
______________________________________
Expt. L2 Abrasion
Bending of
Edge
No. (cm) L2/L1 Jamming
mark leading edge
stain
______________________________________
2-1 0.9 0.03 4 B 5 B
2-2 1.2 0.04 3 B 5 B
2-3 1.5 0.05 1 A 2 A
2-4 2.1 0.07 1 A 2 A
2-5 3 0.10 0 A 0 A
2-6 6 0.20 0 A 0 A
2-7 9 0.30 0 A 0 A
2-8 15 0.50 0 A 0 A
2-9 24 0.80 1 A 1 A
2-10 30 1.0 1 A 2 A
2-11 36 1.2 4 B 5 B
2-12 45 1.5 4 B 6 B
______________________________________
As can be seen from Table 2, when the ratio of the path length (L2 cm) of
the external turn section to the path length (L1 cm) of the portion
immersed in the developing solution, i.e., L2/L1 was within the range of
0.05 to 0.10, it was proved that advantageous effects of the present were
achieved.
Example 3
The photographic material was subjected to continuous processing and
evaluated in a manner similar to Example 1 using an automatic processor
similar to the one as illustrated in FIG. 1, provided that the open top
area ratio was varied by inserting a member into the liquid surface, as
shown in Table 3 and the R, L1, L2 and S were 15 cm, 20 cm, 6 cm and 200
cm.min., respectively. Results thereof are shown in Table 3.
TABLE 3
______________________________________
Open top
Expt. area ratio
Abrasion Bending of
Edge
No. (cm.sup.2 /1)
mark leading edge
stain
______________________________________
3-1 5 B 3 B
3-2 8 B 3 B
3-3 10 A 1 A
3-4 15 A 1 A
3-5 20 A 0 A
3-6 30 A 0 A
3-7 40 A 0 A
3-8 50 A 0 A
3-9 70 A 1 A
3-10 100 A 1 A
3-11 120 B 3 B
3-12 150 B 4 B
______________________________________
As can be seen from Table 3, it was proved that when the open top area
ratio of the processing tank was within the range of 10 to 100 cm.sup.2
/l, advantageous effects of the present invention were achieved, and
specifically when it was 20 to 50 cm.sup.2 /1, the effects were markedly
improved.
Example 4
The photographic material was subjected to continuous processing and
evaluated in a manner similar to Example 1 using an automatic processor
similar to one as shown in FIG. 1, provided that the number of transport
rollers immersed in the developing solution was varied, as shown in Table
4 and the R, L1, L2 and S were 15 cm, 20 cm, 6 cm and 200 cm.min.,
respectively. Results thereof are shown in Table 4.
TABLE 4
______________________________________
Expt. No. of roller Abrasion
Bending of
Edge
No. (pair) Jamming mark leading edge
stain
______________________________________
4-1 1 5 A 7 B
4-2 2 4 A 6 B
4-3 3 1 A 1 A
4-4 4 1 A 1 A
4-5 5 0 A 0 A
4-6 6 0 A 0 A
4-7 7 0 A 0 A
4-8 8 0 A 1 A
4-9 9 3 B 5 B
4-10 10 4 B 6 B
______________________________________
As can be seen from Table 4, it was proved that 3 to 8 pairs of transport
rollers immersed in the color developing solution of the first tank were
preferred.
Example 5
Continuous processing was conducted, using an automatic processor similar
to the one as shown in FIG. 1, provided that the radius of curvature of an
external turn section between the first tank and the successive second
tank (R cm), the path length of the portion immersed in a color developing
solution of the color developing tank (L1 cm) and the transport speed of a
photographic material (S cm/min) were adjusted so that RxL1/S meets the
value as shown in Table 5. 300 pieces of the photographic material (color
paper) in a roll form (89 mm in width.times.800 mm in length) or in a
sheet form (89 mm in width.times.127 mm in length) were continuously
processed and evaluated in a manner similar to Example 1. Results thereof
are shown in Table 5.
TABLE 5
______________________________________
Expt. Phot. Bending of
Edge
No. material
RxL1/S Jamming
leading edge
stain Remark
______________________________________
5-1 Roll 0.04 8 12 B Comp.
5-2 Roll 0.15 0 0 A Inv.
5-3 Roll 0.50 0 1 C Comp.
5-4 Sheet 0.04 11 19 C Comp.
5-5 Sheet 0.15 0 0 A Inv.
5-6 Sheet 0.50 0 1 D Comp.
______________________________________
As can be seen from Table 5, transport problems are marked when comparative
samples in sheet form were transported, and improved results were marked
in using the automatic processor according to the invention.
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